We, the undersigned, wish to call for an end to the
NATO military action against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

In particular we note the following:

1/ Many other cases of repression in the outer parts
of Europe and beyond have been conveniently ignored and thus the humanitarian
principles which NATO espouses in this case are hypocritical.

2/ The legal basis for this action is highly problematic
and NATO has violated both the UN's and its own charter.

3/ The intervention of a supposedly defensive regional
organisation within a sovereign state sets a dangerous precedent in international
relations. The constitutional situation of Kosovo within the Federal Republic
of Yugoslavia cannot be compared to that of Bosnia and Herzegovina - indeed
Kosovo is an integral part of Yugoslavia and NATO's actions seem designed
to encourage possible (although illegal) secession from Yugoslavia.

4/ The action has alienated a number of states in
eastern Europe, including Russia. Many of these states have been in dialogue
with the West about joining or associating with NATO or the EU. This may
have serious consequences for these organisations and the UN.

5/ The dominant West European and US view of the
region is rooted in outdated 19th century notions of the 'nation
state' and hangovers of 19th century prejudice which considers
the Balkans as a 'powder-keg' containing people possessed by 'ancient hatreds'.
The EU and NATO are in part responsible for the dissolution of former Yugoslavia
and several EU states actively encouraged the succession of Slovenia, Croatia
and Bosnia-Herzegovina from the Yugoslav federation. The current military
action may well encourage further fragmentation in the region at the cost
of political, economic and social stability.

6/ The withdrawal of the monitors from Kosovo followed
by air strikes has encouraged the repression of Kosovo's Albanians.

7/ US policy towards the region has been contradictory
at best - supporting democratic negotiations and then abandoning them.
Military action has effectively 'pulled the rug' from under the democratic
representatives of the Kosovo Albanians and instead given support to the
unconstitutional and illegal Kosovo Liberation Army with the effect that
NATO is now for all intents and purposes the air force of the KLA.

8/ NATO's actions have unified support behind President
Milosevic of Yugoslavia and recast him in the role of 'defender of the
faith'. What opposition remains has now been sidelined or repressed. The
increased control of the universities and closure of independent media
organisations are symptomatic of this hegemony. The use of German forces
in the attacks is particularly insensitive given Yugoslavia's experiences
under Nazi occupation.

9/ The flood of refugees fleeing Kosovo threatens
the stability of the whole region. Many thousands have now crossed the
Yugoslav borders into FYR Macedonia, Albania and, within Yugoslavia itself,
Montenegro. In the short term, none of these regions will be able to deal
with such large numbers (for which the West has been singularly unprepared).
In the longer term, some states will experience severe difficulties. FYR
Macedonia, in particular, is highly likely to witness an increase in nationalist
sentiment which could well lead to an extension of the war.